World Cup kicks off in Mexico with Shakira, performers and vibrant fans

A star-studded opening ceremony featured artists from the World Cup's official soundtrack. World Cup kicks off in Mexico with Shakira, performers and vibrant fans Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Performers during the opening ceremony before the match BBC's Mexico, Central America and Cuba correspondent The 2026 World Cup has begun in Mexico City with an opening ceremony filled with colour, culture and a performance by global music star Shakira. Thousands of fans arrived at the legendary Azteca stadium in Mexico City with a real sense of excitement and anticipation to watch the World Cup on their home turf for the first time in 40 years. It's been a complicated build-up, from the renovations of the airport and Azteca stadium, to protests around the event, and the cartel violence seen in Mexico only months ago. On Thursday, those issues appear to have been pushed to the side as football takes centre stage in Mexico. Global superstar Shakira performs in the opening ceremony in Mexico City Javier Pérez came with his family for the opener and told the BBC that the excitement now outweighs any hassles experienced up to this point. "We were lucky to get hospitality tickets and it's a unique experience. I have never been to a World Cup before so to bring my family is wonderful," he said. "I just want Mexico to get off on the right foot, win today and score a load of goals! And then we'll see how far we can go!" Javier Pérez and his family in front of the Azteca stadium Javier Pérez and his family, wearing Mexico jerseys as they stand in front of the Azteca stadium and give the thumbs up to the camera. Fireworks display during the Opening Ceremony ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A match between Mexico and South Africa at Mexico City Stadium on June 11, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico Dancers in colourful traditional Mexican dresses perform at the opening ceremony. Mexico is co-hosting the 2026 tournament alongside the US and Canada, with those North American teams hosting their own opening ceremonies on Friday. Today, the focus is on Mexico's festivities. Ahead of the co-hosts match against South Africa, fans in the stadium were treated to musical performances from Shakira, Colombia's J Balvin, Afrobeats star Burna Boy, Latin music star Danny Ocean and Fher Olvera. "Bienvenida a México. Welcome to Mexico," a performer announced to start the tournament. "Mexico receives you with smiles from our heart. We are a nation of diversity, heritage and pride. Football carries the same heartbeat, uniting generations. The trophy is not defined by one player or nation but by all." Performers wore indigenous clothing, while others were dressed in all gold and held giant golden footballs above their heads. A packed stadium of fans dressed in their own colourful outfits, many wearing Mexico's team colours. Tyla sings the South African national anthem Tyla sings the South African national anthem during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Mexico fans inside the stadium before the match Tyla sings South African national anthem Opera superstar Andrea Bocelli and K-Pop Demon Hunters singer Ejae performed the tournament's official anthem DNA, which was officially released on Wednesday. Mexican singer Fernández, who is the son of veteran crooner Vicente Fernández, sang the Mexican national anthem in unison with many of the 80,000 fans. Grammy-winning South African star Tyla performed her nation's anthem. Tyla, whose hits include the song Water and the Fifa song Game Time, will return to the World Cup stage on Friday to take part in the US opening ceremony in Los Angeles alongside Katy Perry, Future, Lisa and Anitta. Fifa has tapped a bevy of global artists for the ceremonies, several of whom are featured on the 18-song Official Fifa World Cup 2026 Album. Colombian singer and producer J Balvin performs during the opening ceremony Performers during the opening ceremony before the match REUTERS This view shows the Mexican and South African flags during the opening ceremony ahead of the 2026 World Cup Group A football match between Mexico and South Africa at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City Italian singer Andrea Bocelli and South Korean-American singer and songwriter Ejae perform during the opening ceremony Mexican Air Force helicopters with a Mexican flag fly over the opening ceremony ahead of the 2026 World Cup Group A football match between Mexico and South Africa Additional reporting from Elizabeth Conway, BBC Sport at the Azteca Stadium. Changeable and challenging weather conditions are expected throughout the Fifa World Cup 2026. The BBC's Will Grant got access inside the renovated venue ahead of the first game of the tournament. BBC Sport looks back to the last time South Africa and Mexico opened the 2010 World Cup as Mexico host South Africa in the opening fixture of the 2026 World Cup, exactly 16 years later. Thousands lined the streets in Mexico City on Saturday as they attempted to set the world record for largest human wave. Teachers demanding higher pay have been demonstrating for several days and threaten to disrupt the tournament if their demands are not met. The gunman visited the archaeological site repeatedly and appeared to act alone. Mexico City set a Guinness record for the largest football training session as 9,500 participants filled the capital’s Zocalo square ahead of World Cup. About 8.2 million people participated in the first drill of the year, achieving an average evacuation time of 1 minute and 52 seconds.